Museums

This summer Witte Museum visitors can explore even more thanks to a $100 million expansion. From now-Sept. 5, explore historic culture at the Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed exhibit, and for kids, the permanent H-E-B Body Adventure exhibit features four floors of fun activities with themes relating to health IQ, empowerment and wellness.

For a look at the life of more recent Texans, the new South Texas Heritage Center at the Witte features interactive displays and intriguing stories about the cowboys, settlers, Native Americans and others who shaped our state from 1850-1950.

The DoSeum, San Antonio’s Museum for Kids, is an interactive learning laboratory for all young children allowing them to learn through play and helping them become creative problem-solvers through hands-on activities. The DoSeum offers exhibits unlike any other children’s museum in the country, including an interactive robot named Baxter, a spy academy filled with math challenges, an interactive puppet parade, a musical staircase, an ADA-accessible treehouse, a Children’s River, and a significant outdoor exhibit area with plenty of shade and water features.

Texans are a diverse group, and the Institute of Texan Cultures is a great place for kids to gain an appreciation of the various cultures that contribute to the makeup of this great state’s population.

The Briscoe Western Art Museum is devoted to the art, history, and culture of the American West, with a contextual emphasis on San Antonio, South Texas, and the Southwest.

History

Close to 300 years ago, five Spanish missions were established in San Antonio. While the Alamo is the most famous, the other four, Mission San José, Mission Concepción, Mission San Juan and Mission Espada are equally captivating. All five have received UNESCO World Heritage status. To give kids a better understanding of the 1836 battle at the Alamo, don’t miss the 42-minute film, “Alamo: The Price of Freedom” at the Alamo IMAX Theatre in Rivercenter Mall.

Outdoor/Eco Learning

Chill out with an intriguing underground tour of stalagmites, stalactites, flowstones, chandeliers and soda straws in the stunning Natural Bridge Caverns, where you can choose the level of adventure that is just right for your family.

Paved pathways, a lake with ducks and turtles and a popular restaurant are three great reasons to visit San Antonio Botanical Garden. See, smell and touch plants found in regions from South Texas to Japan.

Explore and tour cave and attractions at Wonder World Park. See the Earthquake Cave and experience the devastations of a major earthquake close up.

Animal Interactions

While visiting SeaWorld San Antonio, take the animal lovers in your family on a behind-the-scenes tour for interactive experiences with water-loving residents such as penguins, sea lions, dolphins and beluga whales.

Open 365 days a year, the San Antonio Zoo is situated in an old limestone quarry and is home to more than 8,500 animals of 779 species.

The San Antonio Aquarium provides an up close chance to learn about jellyfish, sea horses, colorful corals, stingrays, sharks and more.

   Info? Click San Antonio Convention & Visitor’s Bureau.

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1. Orlando Farmers Market. Every Sunday from 10:00 am – 4:00 pm at Lake Eola Park. This market is more than just your average farmers market. Find seasonal fresh produce, a wide variety of indoor and outdoor plants, artwork, handmade craft items like jewelry, pottery and soap. Thornton Park also offers a Farmers Market on Wednesday evenings from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm.

2. Movieola. Lake Eola Park’s free outdoor movie series.

3. Orlando City Soccer Club game. New for 2015, the City of Orlando is proud to have a Major League Soccer team. The season runs through fall.

4. The Great Escape Room. A real-life room escape game based on the popular computer and mobile phone escape games. After entering a room with your team, the door is locked behind you with 60 minutes on the clock. The team must work together in order to find clues and solve puzzles that will lead you and your team to escape. It is park scavenger hunt and part puzzle game.

5. Third Thursday. Third Thursday Orlando is a monthly celebration of Downtown Orlando arts, business, food and culture. On every third Thursday of the month, downtown cultural groups hold a diverse range of events and open their doors to visitors in order to engage more people in the arts and culture that exists in the Downtown area.

6. Thornton Park Wine and Art Walk. The 2nd Thursday of every month, a crowd gathers for the Thornton 2nd Thursday Wine + Art Walk. Guests come to celebrate the community, art and partake in an evening of sights, sounds, food, shopping, and some tasty tastings all along the walk!

7. Swan Boat Paddle Boat Rentals. A ride on a paddle boat is a great way to explore Lake Eola. Lake Eola Park has swan-shaped paddle boats available for rent for $15.00 per half hour. Each boat holds 5 adults.

Some other areas of interest in the greater Orlando area would be Loch Haven Park. Loch Haven Park is home to a cluster of theaters, museums, the Orlando Science Center, and the Orlando Ballet.  The Orlando Science Center was just named #1 in a list of Orlando’s Family-Friendliest Museum Offerings from USA Today. Currently, the Orlando Science Center is hosting a Mummies of the World Exhibit.

For more information on Downtown Orlando, visit them online at www.downtownorlando.com. 

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Happy Travels!

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